The following are capsule reviews of "Against the Ropes," "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," "Europtrip," and "Welcome to Mooseport."

These films were recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Against the Ropes" (Paramount
Leaden drama about a brassy female fight fan (Meg Ryan) who tosses her hat and her hopes into the ring when she decides to manage a promising young boxer (Omar Epps). Based loosely on the life of boxing manager Jackie Kallen, the film, directed by Charles S. Dutton, has little chance of scoring a knockout at the box office thanks to lightweight performances and a script that doesn't pack much of a punch. Boxing action, brief violence and drug content, and recurring crude sexual language and humor. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

"Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" (Touchstone)
Fun but formulaic adolescent soap opera about an eccentric 16-year-old (Lindsay Lohan) transplanted by her single mom from New York City to suburban New Jersey where she becomes easy prey for her new high school's reigning queen of mean (Megan Fox). Directed by Sara Sugarman, the film probes the perils of pubescence with charm and warmth, touching on questions of conformity, peer approval, and maintaining one's self-identity, and at times is laced with a kids-know-better-than-parents bias, but overall imparts a positive message about dreaming boldly and believing in oneself. Thematic elements and brief, mildly crass expressions. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested.

"Eurotrip" (Dreamworks)
Sleazy teen comedy about a high school senior (Scott Mechlowicz), who travels to Europe with three classmates to track down his cyber-pen pal with whom he has severed ties, thinking it was a guy coming on to him, only to discover that she is, in fact, a gorgeous German girl (Jessica Boehrs). If you are scratching your head, don't worry; the premise is little more than an excuse by director Jeff Schaffer to get the oversexed kids across the pond, where they embark on a hedonistic tour of European capitals, including a sacrilegious stopover at the Vatican. Several raunchy sexual encounters, including a sacrilegious sequence, recurring full and partial nudity, drug content, as well as much crude language and humor. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is O -- morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted.

"Welcome to Mooseport" (20th Century Fox)
Lukewarm comedy about a local handyman (Ray Romano) who, in an attempt to win back his girlfriend (Maura Tierney), decides to run against a former president (Gene Hackman) for mayor of his quaint New England town. Part triangular romance, part political satire, director Donald Petrie's flat farce pokes fun at the electoral process and media scrutiny of candidates' private lives while espousing a belief in the basic decency of Main Street America, but fails to make good on its campaign promises of comedy. Some sexual humor, instances of rear nudity and minimal crude language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

-- CNS